The extent of Hijab is entirely based on subjective interpretation of islamic religious text. From veiling of entire body to just wearing the headscarf - it generally depends on conservative mindset of the muslim society.

Islamic apologists argue for hijab to be implemented either by force or by choice of the individual...which also depends on the liberal or strict interpretation of religious rules. They frequently justify covering of women by saying it prevents sexual harassments or rape.

But is it really the case? Does hijab protect women from sexual harassment or rape?

I think a woman who wears hijab can be more provocative to them, The more covered up you are, the more interesting you are to them.

I feel like with the hijab, it makes them wonder, What are you hiding underneath?

I agree with you ( and I am a Muslim female). I hate it when women are coaxed under wearing hijab under the false pretenses that it protects them from rape. Rape isn't about sexual attraction it's about exerting power over another individual against their will. Though if people do wear hijab it should be of their own choice.

Hijab protect women modesty. If not then Americans are not foolish to accept Islam and hijab, if we feel that it protect then it protect. But not all the Muslim women are good in hijab, they just want to showoff outside and do every dirty thing sitting near computer and cam with guys.There are really women in this world who respect Islam and fear of GOD who wear a real hijab to protect herself from stranger. A good example American and Britain women converting to Islam bcs of hijab.

No the headscarf (not hijab as this arabic word does not a womans attire, cover or dresscode) does not protect. It is a piece of cloth. Not a iron chasity belt. There has over the past 15-20 years been an active indoctrination and propagation of the headscarf by the arab (men in particular) overriding local history of Muslim countries and immigrants in the West. Women in burkas, niqabs, headscarves or cloaks are raped in Muslijm countries. Ironically the only place where these same women would be free som sexual assault or harrassment (rampant in muslim societies especially Egypt) is the West or the non muslim countries. I hail from a Muslim country and until the past 6-7 years never seen the concept of headscarf there. We do have a concept of cover but not this headscarf. Today people from my home country lies and claim it has always been a part of their country completely rewriting history. I politely correct them. It has in fact been the expats living abroad who have been influenced by their arab peers and imported it back to their own countries. The headscarf came with the mass immigration of Arabs. Even the Turks don't wear their headscarf like this. But now they do. As far as the illogical proposition that our scholars and their followers seem to think, headscarf, covering your hair or even every inch of your body, will not protect you from rape of sexual harrassment. Sex crimes have nothing to do with what you wear. It is about violence and violating another person.I am appalled and shocked whenever a Young Muslim who should know better, thinks this. It angers me. Allah has not granted men a free pass to rape women just because their hair is visible. Come on, like most men suffer from hair fetish? I used to don a burka when in my native country but even then I could not escape sexual harrassment on the streets. When people say it is about choice, then they should know the choice has already been made for them. The scholars always claim, the headscarf is compulsory (when it is not because nowhere in the Quran or ahadith does the Word hijab ever show up, neither do hair or headscarf - it is all blatant misinterpretation to further the cause of the headscarf. Nobody objects when headscarf clad females turn headscarf into a fashionstatement and pile on makeup, perfume and get pierced in the face - all to beautify themselves when it is the beauty which only a womans husband is allowed to see. The ahadith also clearly forbid plucking your eyebrows and changing anything about yourself and adopt non muslims customs etc. Yet this conveniently falls on deaf ears and the heascarf has turned into a shameless fashion tactic. So where in there lies the modesty? The concept of modesty exists in Islam. No doubt. But it is not a headscarf. Allah clearly says modesty comes from within and that one must fear Allah. The scholars & co. have turned the headscarf into the Word hijab although islamically hijab does not mean headcover or relates to the cover/attire of women. They also suggest that not wearing is a sin. And some even concoct horrible punishments (torture in the hereafter) so to instill fear so that people will follow suit - what a noble way to think of ones "sisters". Headscarf girls often exibit the most immodesty and the least fear of Allah. This as evident by their Words and actions. And they also lead in the harrasment of those who do not don headscarves. There is a reason not all Muslims see the need to wear a headscarf. It has nothing to do with choice or no choice. They simply do not agree that it is a part of Islam. Also people rarely convert for the sake of a headscarf. They can wear that without convert. When people convert it is usually because they are either in a relationship with muslim guys, or they fall into Islam and think it is the right path for them, or among youngsters who have many muslim friends, they naturally get interested. Bottomline, no garment can protect you from a rapist or stranger. Common sense.

Well, I totally agree that wearing "provocative" clothing does NOT cause rape. Rapists cause rape, end of story. But that being said, , I find that hijab does make a barrier between a female and male, because of what is represents. When i say hijab i mean social + physical hijab, becasue you can't have one without the other. Btw i grew up with a single mother only and i started wearing hijab at a young age so the fact that people thinkmen force you to wear hijab is typical arab sterotypes. not all muslims are arabs, not all arabs are muslim.

Well, I totally agree that wearing "provocative" clothing does NOT cause rape. Rapists cause rape, end of story. But that being said, , I find that hijab does make a barrier between a female and male, because of what is represents. When i say hijab i mean social + physical hijab, becasue you can't have one without the other. Btw i grew up with a single mother only and i started wearing hijab at a young age so the fact that people thinkmen force you to wear hijab is typical arab sterotypes. not all muslims are arabs, not all arabs are muslim.